Gene Ernest Blankenship

Gene Ernest Blankenship, age 86, passed away on Friday, January 5, 2024, in Plano, Texas, following a brief illness.  He was born on October 15, 1937, in Paris, Texas, to John Blackman and Elizabeth Hale (Pearson) Blankenship.  As the youngest child of five, Gene was greatly doted on by his parents and his siblings Jack, Tommie, Linda, and Billy.  He was nicknamed “Gene Dale” throughout his youth and later learned from his birth certificate that his middle name was actually Ernest, in honor of the doctor who delivered him.

Gene grew up in Big Sandy and Gladewater in East Texas.  He graduated from Gladewater High School in 1956 (“strong as nails, tough as bricks, Senior Class of ’56!”), where he was an outstanding student and athlete, lettering all four years in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He majored in Electrical Engineering at Lamar University, where he was a proud member of Eta Kappa Nu (Electrical Engineering honors fraternity).  In 1958, he married Patsy Ann Page, his high-school sweetheart and his soulmate for over 65 years.  Upon his graduation in 1960, they moved to Dallas and then Richardson, Texas, where they lived for thirty years.  They were blessed with two daughters: Paige and Storey.  Gene was very proud of his daughters who exceled in academics and sports.  Later, Gene and Patsy moved to Plano.  Gene was the ultimate Dad to his daughters and “Grampers” to his five grandkids, attending many school and sports events with his camera around his neck.

Gene earned the highly acclaimed designation of Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.  The majority of Gene’s career in Electric Engineering was with Texas Instruments, where he worked for 32 years as a design engineer, section and branch manager in the Linear Integrated Circuits Department.  His design work included redesign of the Polaroid SX-70 Camera Modules and associate integrated circuits.  He also managed the development of integrated circuits for Canon’s Model AE-1 35mm Single Reflex Camera, among other projects.  His work included travel throughout the United States and internationally to Taiwan, Japan, and Scotland.

Outside of work and more so in retirement, his passion was photography.  He chronicled family life, birthdays, holidays and events, and also captured beautiful scenes in nature.  His analytic side came through the hours he spent editing and refining the photos prior to printing.  He leaves behind a legacy of photographs which are displayed in all of his family’s homes and friends’ as well.  Gene’s talents included computer technology and financial investing.  Also, Gene remained active by biking and walking on the trails in his neighborhood park.  Gene loved many types of music, which became the background music to our lives.  He remained active in the lives of his daughters and each of his grandkids, spending countless hours cheering them on and traveling around Texas and the country to do so.  Gene and Patsy have been fortunate to have wonderful, life-long friendships.  Many meals, concerts, day trips, and vacations have been shared with Gene’s family and friends.  He made sure that everyone around him felt his love.

Gene and Patsy were founding members of Waterview Church of Christ in Richardson in 1962, and he served as a Deacon there.  Gene’s faith in God was of upmost importance in his life.  He loved the Word of God and was the spiritual leader of our family.  Later, he and Patsy worshiped at the Branch Church in Farmers Branch and Oak Hills Church in San Antonio.  He loved the teaching of ministers Chris Seidman, Max Lucado, and David Jeremiah.  Gene’s family is comforted that he is now face-to-face with Jesus.

Gene is survived by his wife Patsy; his daughters Paige Dodge (David) and Storey Heintzelman (“Bob”); his grandsons David Brooks Dodge, Pierce Robert Heintzelman (Hannah), Carson Patrick Dodge, and Truett Logan Heintzelman and granddaughter Merrill Page Heintzelman; and other loved nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL SERVICE

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2024

2:00 P.M.

CROLEY FUNERAL HOME

401 N CENTER STREET, GLADEWATER, TX 75647

BURIAL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING

GLADEWATER MEMORIAL PARK

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Gene’s honor may be made to: Arms of Hope (armsofhope.org) (a Christian-care organization assisting children and single mother families in need) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org/join us) (a research hospital for the treatment of children with cancer or other life-threatening disease).